Review: Blue Cheese Macaroni and Cheese with Balsamic at Friar's Nook

Review: Blue Cheese Macaroni and Cheese with Balsamic at Friar’s Nook

It’s a good, good day — it’s a Mac and Cheese day!!!

We’re heading back to the new menu at Friar’s Nook in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom to pick up another of the debut mac and cheese goodies.

When Kim was there before, she and her fam shared the Bacon Cheeseburger Macaroni and Cheese! YUM!!

Recently, Disney Food Blog columnist Erin Foster put another new dish to the test.

NEW Friar’s Nook Mac and Cheese

Atmosphere

In Fantasyland, Friar’s Nook is a small counter-service location offering an interesting selection of eats. Known for keeping odd hours, check your Times Guide to see if Friar’s Nook is open on the day of your visit.

There’s not a lot of seating here, and what’s there is all uncovered and open to the elements; so on a busy day (or a super hot or super cold day) you may want to take your food to the nearby Pinocchio Village Haus.

Seating at Friar’s Nook

Eats

With the addition of new mac and cheese options, the menu has been refreshed once again.

New Friar’s Nook Mac and Cheese Menu

Erin compared the Blue Cheese and Bacon Cheeseburger versions. Which one does she highly recommend? Let’s find [Read more…]

Disney Recipe from the Vault: Cinnamon Rolls from Main Street Bakery in Magic Kingdom

By Brooke 136 Comments

Alright guys, today we’re taking it back. Like, waaaay back! Who remembers Main Street Bakery in Magic Kingdom BEFORE it was a Starbucks location? Well, we do, and we think about it more than we’d like to admit.

And you know what one of the best things was about the old Main Street Bakery? The cinnamon rolls, otherwise known as the undisputed breakfast of champions! Seriously, just look at this.

Main Street Bakery Cinnamon Roll with Extra Icing!

And I know that the cinnamon rolls at Gaston’s Tavern in New Fantasyland are supposed to be the same. Well. Okay. Whatever you say, Disney.

But whatever the reason, those old Main Street Bakery ones are still my favorite. And I do wish you could still get them — and all those scoops of extra icing! Yum! Well, no matter. Because we have the recipe! And knowledge is power.

Main Street Bakery cinnamon roll cross-section!

So I can make them anytime I’d like. And now, so can you. 🙂

SEE ALL OF OUR DISNEY RECIPES ON OUR DISNEY RECIPES PAGE HERE!

Cinnamon Rolls Recipe:

Walt Disney World’s Main Street Bakery

Yield: 16-18 Rolls

Ingredients:

Cinnamon Rolls

1/2 cup warm water
2 packages yeast
2 tablespoons sugar [Read more…]

News! and Review: Las Ventanas Makes its Debut at Disney World’s Coronado Springs Resort

By Wendy 15 Comments

UPDATE: Please note that as of February 2015, Las Ventanas also serves dinner. Advanced Dining Reservations are also accepted.

Guess what! Disney World opened a new restaurant, and we’ve got all the details for you! 🙂

Nope; you won’t find it at the parks. You won’t even find it at Downtown Disney! Nope — it’s at Coronado Springs, a Mexican-themed moderate resort!

Coronado Springs has a few aces up its sleeve when it comes to dining. The Pepper Market has a great reputation for lots of delicious choices in its unique station-style food court, and no one can argue with the margarita flight available at Rix Lounge and Maya Grill. Today, we’re excited to present the Resort’s brand new restaurant: Las Ventanas!

Las Ventanas entry

Well…it’s not exactly new. Las Ventanas has always been the private dining room for Rix Lounge. I guess they just realized they needed more table service offerings for conventioneers!

Las Ventanas is open for breakfast and lunch. It’s tucked in a hallway next to Rix Lounge. Since it’s closer to the Convention Center, if you are staying at Coronado as a non-Convention guest, it could be easy to miss. Thankfully, there is a sign in front of the Pepper Market leading the way.

Pepper Market

Las Ventanas sign with operating hours

Atmosphere

Two things struck me upon entering Las Ventanas. First, the size. It’s small and intimate, due to previously being a private dining room. You’ll nearly be able to see the entire restaurant within these pictures.

Las Ventanas seating

Las Ventanas

There were only 14 or 15 tables in the whole place and, even though the room is small, they were very well-spaced with plenty of room in between each.

Las Ventanas Table

Second, it’s beautiful. Decor is minimalistic. Rather than being filled to the brim with details, things are kept rather simple. This serves to enhance the atmosphere, as you can truly take in the touches that catch your eye.

Las Ventanas Hanging Lamps

Fresh flowers on the table

Wall decoration

One thing I can’t share with you in pictures [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: March 2, 2014

By Kim LaPaglia 1 Comment

One of the most beloved restaurants in Disney World, Casey’s Corner, has emerged from a controversial revamp! Read all about it — and let YOUR thoughts be known — here!

Casey’s Corner

There’s even more fun food news from Disney; click on the links below!

Disney Food News

The Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend returns in 2014 to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival.
Trilo-Bites in Disney World’s Animal Kingdom serves a new specialty: the Pulled Buffalo Chicken Waffle Sandwich!
Disney World and Disneyland will offer Braille menus at select locations for guests with Visual Disabilities starting March 1, 2014.
There are two upcoming signature dining events at Downtown Disney’s Raglan Road at Walt Disney World. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Raglan Road!
Casey’s Corner re-opens after refurbishment with an updated indoor seating area!
Eat to the Beat Concert schedule taking shape for Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival.

Of course, there’s more! Check out all the latest Disney Food News — even the stuff we don’t mention in posts on the blog! — on our Disney Food News Pin Board, including restaurant closures, Refurbishment at Captain Cook’s in the Polynesian Resort, and more!

DFB Reader Finds

If you find a fun new food — or other edible awesomeness — in or from Disney, share a photo with us on facebook or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday!

Let’s look at some eats from the BoardWalk Bakery! MrTomMorrow tweeted this green cupcake creation.

St. Patrick’s Day Cupcake

And how about breakfast? This sandwich with turkey sausage was enjoyed by DFB Reader Katie.

Breakfast Sandwich from BoardWalk Bakery

As always, we can’t get enough of your Disney food finds. We can’t wait to see what our readers share with us next!

The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2014 e-Book Grand Launch

The fully updated DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2014 e-Book is an instantly downloadable PDF guide, featuring over 450 full-color pages of photographs, information, and advice about our favorite subjects — food and dining in Walt Disney World.

It’s guaranteed to help you navigate your way to delicious dining on your next trip! And if you’re ready to get yours now, head on over to DFBGuide.com to pick it up!!

For our Grand Launch Sale, use code: 2014 to get a $4 discount for a limited time! And at the end of this post, we have details on even more savings!

Here Are Just Some Of What You Get With Our 2014 Guide:

Over 450 Pages of Disney Dining and Planning information, tips, reviews, and recommendations!
An in-depth Disney Dining Restaurant Reviews section, covering all Disney restaurants, food kiosks, bars, and lounges
An updated Disney Dining Plan section and price analysis for 2014
NEW Disney food and restaurant photos
An updated Disney Snacks chapter, including our list of dozens of must-try snacks AND our Top 11 Must-Have Snacks for 2014.
An updated section on birthday parties and specialty cakes in Disney World
A comprehensive, 10-page chapter of What’s New in Disney World in 2014, including new restaurants, menu updates, and more
Details about how the My Magic+ Planning System and FastPass+ will affect your vacation planning
Our picks for the 11 Great Snacks you must try this year
Scavenger Hunts, Trivia, and Top 5 List updates
Bingo Cards
Updates on all pertinent facts such as dining hours, prices, resources, phone numbers, and restaurant closures/openings
All new restaurant additions, closures, refurbishments, and added dining experiences
And much more!

But, of course we’re offering a discount for our Grand Launch week!! Again, to celebrate the launch and to thank you for your support of the blog, we’ll be offering the Guide for $4 off its standard rate for a limited time! Order your copy now at DFBGuide.com and use code: [Read more…]

News! 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Eat to the Beat Concert Schedule

By AJ 20 Comments

Great news, Epcot Food and Wine Festival Fans!

We’ve got the latest on a few Eat to the Beat concert line-up listings ALREADY for 2014!

For those who don’t know, Epcot brings in several bands and musicians popular in the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and 00’s each year to entertain Epcot Food and Wine Festival guests in the evenings. Concert-goers can start making festival plans to see their favorite group during the festival, which runs September 19-November 10, 2014.

Since this partial list is preliminary, you’ll want to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for additions and/or changes to the schedule!

Eat to the Beat concerts are performed three times per evening, so you have three chances each night to see your favorites — 5:30PM, 6:45PM, and 8:00PM!

2014 Eat to the Beat Concert Line Up!

Note that this schedule is subject to change

September 22-23: The Pointer Sisters [Read more…]

News! Casey’s Corner in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Reopens with Updated Indoor Seating Area

By AJ 36 Comments

We looooove telling you about news that can make your Disney trip even more comfortable and relaxing, and today we’re on a roll!

Learn About:Casey’s Corner

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

We’ve all been there… walking around Casey’s Corner with an armful of cardboard trays filled with hot dogs, French Fries, and a couple of enormous Cokes, searching indoors and out for a place to sit while hoping we don’t drop anything.

Welp, after a refurbishment that started in January, the Corner has reopened and is sporting some brand new digs! Yep — as far as we can tell, there are no more bleachers and no more movies…now we’ve got real, honest-to-goodness indoor seating (not just a few scattered tables) at Casey’s!

Casey’s Corner

Let’s take a quick look at the refurbished restaurant first. The entryway welcomes guests as always (just polished up a bit), and the menu remains unchanged (hooray!).

Casey’s Entryway

Casey’s Corner

Casey’s Corner Menu

And, of course, all of those nods to vintage baseball that make Casey’s what it is remain.

Casey’s Baseball Memorabilia

The big surprise comes when you enter the indoor seating area.

This spot used to house a few tables, but the “Casey at the Bat” bleachers and a movie screen spinning old school Disney sports cartoons were the focal points of the area. The banners and scoreboards are still there…

Mudville Banners

Scoreboard

However, the bleachers have been removed to make way for more tables, and the movie screen has been removed.

Refurbished Indoor Seating

Refurbished Indoor Seating Area

Casey’s is a beloved spot for many reasons [Read more…]

Guest Review: Crystal Palace Breakfast in the Magic Kingdom

By AJ 25 Comments

Welcome back guest author Catie Hiltz! Hundred Acre Wood fans will love this review of the Crystal Palace Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Read on…

Learn About:The Crystal Palace

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

I have been going to Crystal Palace ever since I was a little kid – they have been serving up breakfast, lunch, and dinner with “character” for years from their prime location near Main Street in the Magic Kingdom.

My husband and I were lucky enough to get to visit Walt Disney World last year at Christmas time – and we couldn’t miss out on the chance to dine at this character buffet featuring Winnie The Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet.

We had a 9:40am Advance Dining Reservation (ADR) for breakfast at the Crystal Palace, and we arrived a bit early so we could leisurely stroll down Main Street before heading over to the restaurant (and we took time to pose for a photo or two of course!).

Ready for a delicious Crystal Palace Breakfast

Atmosphere

The week of Christmas is a busy time at the Disney Parks but I was pleased to see that the level of service I had come to expect from Disney was still upheld. We were led inside promptly at 9:40am and our waitress appeared right after to take our drink order (soft drinks, coffee, teas, and juice are available here) and explain the buffet to us.

Entrance to Restaurant

The atmosphere of the restaurant was pretty upbeat overall; it was loud and crowded and full of kids running around, but it was a high-spirited kind of chaos, where everyone seemed happy – which I am convinced had to do with the amazing food options!

Winnie The Pooh and Friends Greet You As You Enter

Eats

The menu is pretty standard as far as Disney breakfast buffets go; it’s advertised as “traditional fare with American flair” – which means there will be plenty of options to choose from, and that everyone will find something they love!

The Menu!

The kids’ area featured puffed french toast and Mickey waffles.

Pooh’s Corner

There’s a selection of Assorted Pastries.

Assorted Pastries

At the Fresh Fruit Station, you’ll have plenty of choices, including Honey Yogurt and Strawberry Yogurt.

Mixed Fruit, Watermelon, Strawberries, and more

OK, this probably was my favorite part of the buffet. I LOVED the [Read more…]

News! 2014 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend Events and Registration Announced

By Kim LaPaglia 12 Comments

Registration for the 2014 Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend Events opens March 4, 2014, at Noon!

Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members — booking starts today! Click here for registration.

Once again, runDisney invites you to a nighttime race that takes place during the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Our favorite time of the year!

This year’s race weekend is November 7-8, 2014!

Pre-Race Taste Party

This year, the weekend kicks off again with a Pre-Race Taste Party on Friday, November 7, 2014, from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.! The party takes place at the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where guests can relax before the big race.

Wine and Dine Half Marathon!

The Pre-Race Taste will feature:

early entry into Disney’s Hollywood Studios at 6:00 p.m.;
a private party at Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show;
four tastes from the Epcot Food & Wine Festival;
one “signature sip” drink coupon;
cash bar;
and Disney character meet & greets.

Tickets will be $79 (ages 3 and up). Children under 3 do not need a ticket.

Half Marathon and Finish Line Party

Join the ultimate runners night out as you race a half marathon through three Disney Theme Parks. Throughout your journey, you’ll pass entertainment and characters. Imagine running a race that circles the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, cruises down the Streets of America underneath the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and finishes near Spaceship Earth at Epcot.

Then, the party gets started after you cross the finish line! Celebrate your achievement at the Finish Line Party – an exclusive, after-hours [Read more…]

Review: Breakfast at Flo’s V-8 Cafe in Disney California Adventure

By AJ 5 Comments

“Eat at Flo’s and Get Gas!”

Yep — It’s time to head to Radiator Springs in Carburetor County, for a tasty breakfast along Route 66 at Flo’s V-8 Cafe!

Flo’s Sign

Since it opened a couple of years back, Flo’s has quickly garnered a great reputation for delicious table service-style breakfast with counter service convenience and prices. It even makes our list of favorite fast food joints in Disneyland!

Let’s head over for an early morning visit to Cars Land in Disney California Adventure!

Atmosphere

As you quickly see from Flo’s Sign out front, the restaurant is superbly themed. If you’re a fan of the film Cars, you are gonna love this place. With the backdrop of desert rock formations (a.k.a. Radiator Springs Racers!!), Imagineers have outdone themselves here. You truly feel as though you’ve stepped through the silver screen.

Flo’s Sign

And while it’s all stunning in the daytime, you should definitely make a point to visit at night, when the glow from pastel fluorescent lights brings every inch of this place to life!

Flo’s V-8 Cafe at night

Flo’s V-8 in the movie is, of course, the only gas filling station in Radiator Springs…which, of course, equates to food for us humans. 🙂

Outside View

Flo’s roof is famously patterned after an oil filter. Get it?

Oil Filter Roof — Up Close

Directly in front of the restaurant’s entrance, you’ll find one of the outdoor seating areas. These are the filling stations in the film, so naturally, you’ll find gas pumps and stacks of oil cans nearby.

Motor Oil and Gas Pumps on the Patio

As you go into Flo’s, you realize the seating area is enormous. It looks much larger inside than it does outside! It’s more than just Disney magic, though; one of the seating areas is themed both inside and outside as the Ornament Valley Mechanical Clinic.

Ornament Valley Mechanical Clinic

Head inside, and step further back in time. The round-room entrance is crowned by this [Read more…]

New! DFB Podcast Episode 19: The DISNEY ICE CREAM POLAR VORTEX!

By AJ 2 Comments

Happy February, Disney foodies! We’ve got some fantastic news today for all you hungry commuters, walkers, runners, snow-shovelers, gym-goers, and other assorted podcast listeners!

Just a note to let you know that our latest DFB Podcast episode is now available! The 19th episode of our DFB Podcast is now up and ready for downloading!

Hunker down! It’s time for the Disney ICE CREAM POLAR VORTEX!!!

Yep, it makes total sense that in this edition of the DFB Podcast, AJ and Brad discuss the must-have, must-try, most brain-freeze-inducing ice cream and other cold delicacies at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Dole Whip (is it reeeeally ice cream?!?)? Beaches ‘n Cream Sundaes? Jungle Juice Slush? They’re all discussed here.

Peanut Butter Hot Fudge Sundae in a Chocolate Waffle Bowl

We also answer two listener questions, give the answer to our Episode 18 trivia question, and reveal a new trivia question!

Here’s the Podcast page for Episode 19. And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast via RSS or on iTunes!

Take a listen and as always, let us know what you think! The podcast has its own Twitter account — tweet us at @DFBPodcast!

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